Membership
Steps to becoming a member
If you are interested in becoming a member of Mandarin United Methodist Church, you are invited to join the pastors and Andrea Vrtikapa, Congregational Connector, for our class, Methodism & Christianity 101.
In this 7-week study, you will learn more about our church, dig deeper into what it means to be a United Methodist, what the membership vows entail, and how to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Following the study, you will have the opportunity to unite in membership with Mandarin United Methodist Church. For complete details and upcoming dates, contact Andrea Vrtikapa, Congregational Connector, for more information about beginning your journey to church membership. The following are responses to several of the most frequently asked questions about membership in our church.
Do I have to be baptized to join the church?
All members of the United Methodist Church are baptized Christians, which means that when you come to join, you may do so with a profession of faith which will include a time of baptism. If you have already been baptized, at any age or in any Christian denomination, we recognize and receive your baptism and welcome you into our membership as a transfer from another Christian church or on a Reaffirmation of Faith. If you or a member of your family would like to schedule a baptism, please contact Andrea Vrtikapa, Congregational Connector.
Membership Expectations
Members of all United Methodist churches are asked to commit to the following categories of Christian living:
- Prayers: Members commit to praying for our church, our community, and our world.
- Presence: Members commit to being present in worship and other opportunities where they can grow in their faith.
- Giving: Members commit to financially supporting the mission and ministry of the church through a regular offering.
- Service: Members commit to finding a place where they can serve and be a part of the work the church is doing locally, regionally, and around our world.
- Witness: Members commit to living and sharing a life of faith that reflects their commitment to Christ.
What about my kids?
We take very seriously our commitment to partner with families in the process of nurturing children into Christian faith and believe it is one of the most important things we do as a community of faith. Children who join our church with their families are called preparatory members in anticipation of Confirmation, a 15-week class for our 8th graders (or older students who have not been through Confirmation) where they are introduced to the basics of Christian faith and church membership. At the conclusion of Confirmation, these young people are confirmed as full members of our church.